Denise Donatelli

Denise Donatelli, a 2-time Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed Savant recording artist, has become one of today’s premiere jazz vocalists. Denise's GRAMMY nominations include her 2012 release SOUL SHADOWS for Best Jazz Vocal Album and her 2010 release When Lights are Low — which received two Grammy nominations, one for Best Jazz Vocal Album and another for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for pianist and collaborator Geoffrey Keezer for his arrangement of “Don't Explain.”

Denise’s four recordings, Soul Shadows (Savant Records, September 2012), When Lights are Low (Savant Records 2010), What Lies Within (Savant Records 2008), and In the Company of Friends (Jazzed Media 2005), have consistently topped the National Jazz Week radio charts. Her Grammy Nominated recording When Lights are Low peaked at #2 and remained on the chart for 23 weeks. It resurfaced 28 weeks later where it remained for another 7 weeks. Soul Shadows is another collaboration with 2-time Grammy nominated pianist, composer, arranger, Geoffrey Keezer. KSJS- FM Radio Programmer, Dr. Brad Stone considers Soul Shadows to be “Simply her best work to date!”

Denise also appears as guest vocalist on Grammy Award Winner Bill Cunliffe's Christmas recording, That Time of Year. (2011).

In addition to Denise’s 2010 and 2012 Grammy Nominations, The Los Angeles Jazz Society has honored Denise with their 2012 Jazz Vocalist of the Year award.

Denise tours extensively, performing at jazz festivals, jazz clubs, performing art centers, and with university jazz bands where she conducts master clinics.

Donatelli’s innate musicianship and pure tone have won her spots singing for episodes of The Simpsons, television promos for Frasier, Card Sharks and Turner Classic Movies and has appeared in national and international commercials for CNN, Hyundai, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz among others.

Awards

55th Grammy Awards Nominee 53rd Grammy Awards nominee for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" L.A. Jazz Society Honoree for "2012 Jazz Vocalist of the Year" 61st Annual Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll "Rising Star Female Jazz Vocalist" list top ten.

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CD/LP/Track Review

Find a Heart by Edward Blanco
Find a Heart by Nicholas F. Mondello

Live Reviews

Denise Donatelli and Janis Mann at Charlie O's, May 20, 2011

Interview

Denise Donatelli: Songbird With A Grammy Nomination

CD/LP/Track Review

When Lights are Low by Edward Blanco
When Lights are Low by Nicholas F. Mondello

”Denise Donatelli possesses that rare combination - sensuous tone, impeccable pitch and great jazz sensibility. She is truly an awesome jazz vocalist!” ~ Tom Scott

“There’s absolutely nothing shadowy but plenty sublime in Denise Donatelli’s latest recording, Soul Shadows.” ~ Nick Mondello, Jazz Times

“An impressive showcase for Donatelli’s virtuosity and sheer musicianship ... Donatelli slides between the role of singer and musician with the cool acrobatics of an athlete.“ ~ John McDonough, DOWNBEAT

“The Keezer-Donatelli collaboration proves to be a winning combination once again as the Grammy attention about When Lights are Low most certainly affirms

”Denise Donatelli possesses that rare combination - sensuous tone, impeccable pitch and great jazz sensibility. She is truly an awesome jazz vocalist!” ~ Tom Scott

“There’s absolutely nothing shadowy but plenty sublime in Denise Donatelli’s latest recording, Soul Shadows.” ~ Nick Mondello, Jazz Times

“The Keezer-Donatelli collaboration proves to be a winning combination once again as the Grammy attention about When Lights are Low most certainly affirms. There are no low lights here, as Denise Donatelli's star continues to rise and, with this recording, shine brightly.” ~ Ed Blanco, ALL ABOUT JAZZ

“I raved about Denise Donatelli in Financial Mail (July, 2009). She now has a new CD out on Savant named When Lights are Low, which has garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for Geoffrey Keezer's arrangement of “Don't Explain”... and soaring over whole thing is the supreme voice and phrasing of Donatelli.” ~ JAZZAHOLIC with Don Albert, NEWSTIME.co.za

“The first quality that was apparent - was the rich timbre of Donatelli's voice, which has the clarity and flexibility to sing almost any imaginable genre from pop/blues to operatic aria. And her airy, floating-over-the-rhythm rendering revealed why she is a singer jazz musicians love to love.”  ~ Don Heckman, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

“She's fearless as a singer and can sing anything she hears.” ~ Jim Wilke, ”Jazz After Hours” Public Radio International

“An impressive showcase for Donatelli's virtuosity and sheer musicianship ... Donatelli slides between the role of singer and musician with the cool acrobatics of an athlete. “ ~ John McDonough, DOWNBEAT

“There is a distinct Streisand-esque resonance about Donatelli, particularly on her creamy “Why Did I Choose You?” and a nicely underplayed “Don't Explain.” But there is also a subtle sandiness that underscores Donatelli's voice, making it more arresting. And her choices, both in terms of material and interpretation, tend to be bolder and more interesting.” ~ Christopher Louden, JAZZ TIMES

“Singer and standard are well matched on this breezily poignant track from Donatelli's “When Lights are Low.” ~ Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY PICK OF THE WEEK!

“Denise Donatelli triumphs!” ~ Jonathan Takiff, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

“This woman is a find!” ~ Doug Ramsey, Rifftides/ArtsJournal.com

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